As the sunlight of a Parisian summer night was fading, a street corner in the 3rd arrondissement turned into a block party. Locals and fashion types descended, drinks were served, music was played, and nothing on wheels could enter. This raucous setting was the stage for Richard Chai s second menswear collection, which was of the same mind-set as the surroundings. He called it "good boy goes bad," his crystallizing moment being a re-watching of The Outsiders, in particular the battle scene between the Soces and the Greasers (what, you thought he d pick a tender moment between Ponyboy and Darry?). In other words, a melding of punk and preppy—and a subversion of the uniformity both looks have acquired. Acid-pink seersucker suiting, cut horizontally and tailored into a peacoat (or washed out for an M-65 jacket), exemplified Chai s butching-up of prep, while a motorcycle jacket in cobalt washed silk showed a dandy (maybe even a bit femme?) notion of punk. Glen plaids and morning-star fabrics were first bleached, distressed, and then ink-washed, giving topcoats and trousers a mottled effect. These were then layered over eye-popping electric-plaid shirts for contrast. Gone bad, sure, but good, too.
